Small Business Consultant OPS

University of North Florida•Jacksonville, FL

11d

About The Position

The Small Business Consultant provides consulting, training, and outreach services to prospective and existing small business owners throughout the Florida SBDC at UNF’s 18-county service area. The consultant reports to the Assistant Director or above and works collaboratively with university personnel, community stakeholders, economic development organizations, and funding partners to support small business growth and success. The role includes one-on-one business consulting, educational programs, and community outreach, as well as helping clients with business planning, financial management, and access to capital. The consultant assists clients with starting, managing, and growing businesses; developing and evaluating business plans and growth strategies; and preparing financial analyses, projections, cash flow forecasts, and budgets. The role also helps clients identify and pursue suitable financing, assess loan readiness, prepare financing packages, and prepare for meetings with lenders and capital providers. The position develops and delivers educational content, workshops, webinars, and training programs; conducts outreach and represents the Florida SBDC at UNF at community, business, and economic development events; and builds relationships with community organizations, resource partners, lenders, and funding entities. It may include supervision of assigned OPS staff and student or training assistants, and requires compliance with program requirements and achievement of assigned deliverables, performance measures, and annual KPIs. Travel throughout the 18-county service area is required. The consultant attends professional development events and occasional early-morning, evening, and after-hours business events and meetings. A background check is required; a credit check may also be required. The role is designated as a Responsible Employee under Title IX and requires prompt reporting of specified allegations of misconduct.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Management, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
At least five years of professional experience in commercial lending, small business banking, business finance, financial analysis, capital access consulting, business ownership, economic development, small business consulting, or related business advisory services.
Demonstrated experience assisting small businesses with financial management, business planning, and access to capital.
Experience analyzing financial statements, cash flow, profitability, and financial projections.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications, virtual meeting platforms, and CRM systems.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the service area.
Ability to travel throughout the service area and attend occasional early-morning, evening, and after-hours events and meetings.
Ability to complete a required background check; a credit check may also be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SBA lending programs, including SBA 7(a), 504, and Microloan Programs.
Existing relationships with commercial lenders, community lenders, and capital providers.
Experience providing consulting or advisory services to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Experience delivering business training workshops and public presentations.
Knowledge of Florida’s small business ecosystem and economic development resources.
Previous experience working with a Small Business Development Center, economic development organization, financial institution, or entrepreneurial support organization.

Responsibilities

Provide consulting services to prospective, startup, and existing Florida small businesses.
Assist clients with starting, managing, and growing small businesses.
Help clients develop, implement, and evaluate business plans and growth strategies.
Conduct financial analysis and develop financial projections, cash flow forecasts, and budgets.
Deliver assigned Florida SBDC programs and services, including microenterprise and specialty assistance programs.
Maintain accurate client records and activity reporting in required management information systems.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver services effectively.
Help clients identify, evaluate, and access appropriate capital sources, including conventional bank financing, SBA loan programs, microloans, CDFIs, grants, and alternative financing.
Conduct loan-readiness assessments and assist with financial statement review, cash flow analysis, debt-service evaluation, and financial projections.
Assist clients in preparing financing packages and documentation required by lenders or investors.
Educate clients on financing requirements and available funding resources.
Develop and maintain relationships with lenders, financial institutions, investors, and other capital providers.
Support clients in preparing for meetings with lenders and capital providers.
Develop educational content and training materials for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Deliver workshops, webinars, and training programs independently and with partners and stakeholders.
Identify opportunities to expand educational programming and increase engagement with current and prospective clients.
Present on business planning, finance, access to capital, and small business management.
Conduct outreach to educate clients, partners, and stakeholders about Florida SBDC services and impact.
Represent the Florida SBDC at UNF at community, business, and economic development events.
Help identify and secure resources to expand SBDC programs and services.
Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, stakeholders, resource partners, and funding entities.
Serve on boards, committees, or task forces as assigned.
Foster an engaged and collaborative work environment.
Supervise and guide assigned OPS staff, student assistants, training assistants, and consulting coordinators as assigned.
Ensure compliance with Florida SBDC Network, UNF, and funding partner requirements.
Meet assigned program deliverables, performance measures, and annual KPIs.
Assist with interpretation and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
Travel throughout the 18-county service area as required and attend professional development events and occasional early-morning, evening, and after-hours business events and meetings.
During declared campus emergencies, perform specified job-related duties at a designated off-campus location or place of residence, and perform other duties as assigned.
Promptly report specified allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse under the position’s Responsible Employee designation.